Marple Newtown School Board members will have to wait for tablets

NEWTOWN — Although a majority of the Marple Newtown School Board members present at a recent meeting moved in favor of buying tablets for their use, they won’t be going paperless quite yet.

The directors voted 4-3-1 for the $4,899 purchase. The motion failed, however, as at least five affirmative votes are needed to approve a contract of $100 or more, said Solicitor Mark Sereni.

The board currently receives packets three times a month containing agendas, attachments and other documents. The cost of the copier, reams of paper and employee time to compile and deliver the portfolios is estimated at $2,500 per year.

While other boards, such as Garnet Valley, Rose Tree Media and the Delaware County Intermediate Unit, use tablets, not all the directors felt hitting the “send” button to disseminate information was the correct move. Some board members, as well as several parents, felt the needs of the students should take precedence.

“They should go to the students first,” said Leonard Altieri, who cast one of the dissenting votes. “It is easier to talk about nine people than 3,500 students.”

While the members debated issues such as security, Vice President Nancy Galbraith stressed the efficiency of the electronic system compared to the one currently in use.

“After 12 years on this board I have so much paper and it is such a waste,” she said. “Tablets would be so much better for all of us.”

President Kathy Chandless, who abstained, noted she was “not 100 percent sure it will work” and suggested a review before the funds were spent. The board may revisit the issue at its next meeting, possibly with a demonstration from Director of Technology Chris Lee.